Press release submitted by Zenaida Landeros

DAVENPORT, IA – How important is the Latino vote? "According to the Pew Hispanic Research Center, there are 52,000 eligible voters in Iowa who are Latino, making up roughly 2.3% of the state's voters," said Alvaro C. Macias, Programs and Events Chair for the Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GQCHCC). "With many races being so close, the Latino vote may prove to be the deciding factor. From our local races to the presidential election, the implications may be huge."

To help Iowa voters to know where the candidates stand on issues that matter to our region, the GQCHCC, St. Ambrose University, and Scott Community College proudly present the 2012 Candidates Forum. This free public event will be held 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 7, at St. Ambrose University's Rogalski Center, 518 W. Locust St., Davenport.

The GQCHCC has been working with St. Ambrose University and Scott Community College to give students an opportunity to get involved in creating questions for this landmark event.

Confirmed participants include:

Ø For U.S. House Representative District 2: Rep. Dave Loebsack (D), John Archer (R)

Ø For State Senate District 46: Senator Shawn Hamerlinck (R), Chris Brase (D)

Ø For State Representative District 89: Rep. Jim Lykam (D), Bill Edmond (R)

Ø For State Representative District 90: Rep. Cindy Winckler (D), & Mike J. Riley (Nominated by Petition)

Ø For State Representative District 92: Rep. Ross C. Paustian (R), Frank B. Wood (D)

Ø For State Representative District 93: Rep. Phyllis Thede (D), Mark Nelson (R)

Ø For State Representative District 94: Rep. Linda Miller (R), Maria Bribriesco (D)

Ø For State Representative District 97: Rep. Steven Olson (R), Ted Whisler (D)

In addition to these confirmed participants, other local county candidates will also be present. Additional event highlights include the presentation of flags by the Mexican American Veterans Association and the singing of National Anthem. The event will feature an on-site voter registration table, coordinated by Davenport's League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Council No. 10.

For more information about the event, or the Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, visit www.gqchcc.com or call (309) 797-8650.